moments after president trump gave vladimir putin a pass on the russian election int interferen interference, the justice department was charges those in the lead up in the 2016 election. we get more from sara murray in washington. >> reporter: the latest piece in the russian news, charging 29-year-old russian national maria butina with being a spy for the russian government in the united states. she appeared in court here in d.c. on monday. the justice department announced she was charged with conspireing against the u.s. as a foreign agent. according to reporting, butina spent years making in-roads to promote russian interests. she and kremlin linked banker had close ties with the leadership of the national rifle association. it appeared to use that group as the primary avenue of influence.